A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Tartu vs. Savonlinna for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Tartu or Savonlinna?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Tartu and Savonlinna can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Tartu or Savonlinna?

Tartu

Tartu is a university town that is also the second largest city in Estonia. It has a population of about 100,000 and dates back to 1030, making it the oldest city in the country. The Emajogi River passes through town and it has a lovely old town that's pleasant to explore. The city is a great place to see day to day life in Estonia. It is a very real town with people going about their daily lives. If you find yourself here when the weather is nice, you'll be greeted by crowds of happy locals out enjoying the weather. They make full use of the warm, sunny weather with festivals, events, and concerts during the summer. This is easily the most fun and eventful time to visit the city.

Savonlinna

Savonlinna is a town and a municipality of 35,504 inhabitants in the southeast of Finland, in the heart of the Saimaa lake region. The Finnish name of the town means "Castle of Savonia" and the Swedish name means "New Castle". The city was founded in 1639, based on Olavinlinna castle. Savonlinna is a historical borderland where the cultures and traditions of East and West meet. As the oldest town in Eastern Finland, Savonlinna is famous for its world class opera festival in the medieval castle surrounded by blue waters of Lake Saimaa. With its 100 year old steamships and unparalleled selection of experiences and activities, Savonlinna is a the real gem of Lakeland Finland.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Estonia, The Best Budget Tours to Estonia, The Best Budget Tours to Finland, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Finland.

When comparing the travel costs between Tartu and Savonlinna, we can see that Tartu is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Tartu Expensive? and Is Savonlinna Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Tartu or Savonlinna?

Tartu has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Savonlinna. When comparing the sizes of Tartu and Savonlinna, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Tartu or Savonlinna?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Tartu or Savonlinna in the Summer?

Both Savonlinna and Tartu during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Tartu for the family-friendly experiences.

Tartu is around the same temperature as Savonlinna in the summer. The daily temperature in Tartu averages around 17°C (62°F) in July, and Savonlinna fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).

In Savonlinna, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Tartu. In the summer, Tartu often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Savonlinna. Tartu gets 265 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Savonlinna receives 259 hours of full sun.

Tartu usually gets more rain in July than Savonlinna. Tartu gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Savonlinna receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tartu or Savonlinna in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Tartu and Savonlinna. Many visitors come to Tartu in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

Savonlinna can be very cold during autumn. In the autumn, Tartu is a little warmer than Savonlinna. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Tartu in October average around 6°C (43°F), and Savonlinna averages at about 4°C (40°F).

Tartu usually receives more sunshine than Savonlinna during autumn. Tartu gets 86 hours of sunny skies, while Savonlinna receives 72 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Tartu usually receives less rain than Savonlinna. Tartu gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Savonlinna receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Tartu or Savonlinna in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Tartu as well as Savonlinna. Most visitors come to Tartu for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months.

The weather in Savonlinna can be very cold. Tartu can be very cold during winter. In January, Tartu is generally much warmer than Savonlinna. Daily temperatures in Tartu average around -7°C (19°F), and Savonlinna fluctuates around -11°C (13°F).

In the winter, Tartu often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Savonlinna. Tartu gets 36 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Savonlinna receives 34 hours of full sun.

Tartu usually gets less rain in January than Savonlinna. Tartu gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Savonlinna receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tartu or Savonlinna in the Spring?

Both Savonlinna and Tartu are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Tartu because of the natural beauty.

It's quite cold in Savonlinna in the spring. The weather in Tartu can be very cold. Tartu is much warmer than Savonlinna in the spring. The daily temperature in Tartu averages around 5°C (41°F) in April, and Savonlinna fluctuates around 2°C (36°F).

Tartu usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Savonlinna during spring. Tartu gets 180 hours of sunny skies, while Savonlinna receives 180 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Tartu usually receives around the same amount of rain as Savonlinna. Tartu gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Savonlinna receives 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Savonlinna and Tartu